Using group concept mapping to explore the complexities of managing children’s care
- 16 January 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by RCN Publishing Ltd. in Nurse Researcher
- Vol. 28 (1), 17-24
- https://doi.org/10.7748/nr.2020.e1696
Abstract
Background Children whose assessed health needs cannot be met by statutory and universal services may require bespoke packages of continuing care. A project management group was set up to design a study that would explore the complexities for a children’s community nurse (CCN) of managing such packages. Methodology Group concept mapping (GCM), a mixed quantitative/qualitative participant-centred methodology, was used to obtain consensus from 20 CCNs about the complexities inherent in managing such packages and to develop a concept map that illustrated the emerging conceptual framework. Discussion The participants’ ideas were written as statements and analysed. Core analysis of a square symmetrical matrix through multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis was undertaken to produce a set of maps and reports. The final concept map was interpreted. It contained 99 statements organised into five conceptual clusters: ‘education and training’ (17 statements), ‘risk and safety’ (15 statements), ‘continuing care process’ (17 statements), ‘relationships and boundaries’ (22 statements) and ‘working with families’ (28 statements). Conclusion CCNs used GCM to explore their roles and responsibilities when managing children’s continuing care. Their resulting ideas were developed into a five-cluster conceptual framework that illustrated their views about the complexities of managing such care. Implications for practice The emergent conceptual framework enables CCNs to explore their practice in relation to managing packages of care. Additionally, the framework will be used to design a CCN workforce planning instrument that will be useful to measure complexity in CCN caseloads. The GCM methodology could be used by other nursing teams who wish to develop their practice.Keywords
This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
- Mixed-methods study to develop a patient complexity assessment instrument for district nursesNurse Researcher, 2016
- Designing Learning Outcomes for Handoff Teaching of Medical Students Using Group Concept MappingAcademic Medicine, 2015
- Use of a group concept mapping approach to define learning outcomes for an interdisciplinary module in medicinePerspectives on Medical Education, 2013
- Using the Concept-Mapping Method for Empirical Studies in Construction ResearchJournal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2013
- Systematic review of international evidence on the effectiveness and costs of paediatric home care for children and young people who are illChild: Care, Health and Development, 2012
- Concept Mapping as a Technique for Program Theory DevelopmentAmerican Journal of Evaluation, 2005
- An introduction to concept mapping for planning and evaluationEvaluation and Program Planning, 1989
- Conceptualization for planning and evaluationEvaluation and Program Planning, 1986
- Hierarchical Grouping to Optimize an Objective FunctionJournal of the American Statistical Association, 1963
- Hierarchical Grouping to Optimize an Objective FunctionJournal of the American Statistical Association, 1963